Hamilton wins, as Vettel retires with engine problem
Sainz, Ericsson, Hulkenberg & Stroll retired
Hamilton takes 59-point lead in title race
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Belting start by Esteban Ocon, who has got himself up to third. The safety car is coming in at the end of this lap.
1) Hamilton
2) Verstappen
3) Ocon
4) Ricciardo
5) Bottas
6) Vettel
7) Perez
8) Massa
9) Hulkenberg
10) Magnussen
The safety car is out as a result of Carlos Sainz's early spin. He's out of the race.
"I'm really sorry guys," says Sainz. Not the way he will have expected his final race with the team to go.
Image source, Getty Images
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
It has been a nightmare first lap for Ferrari.
It became very obvious a third of the way through the lap that you could see had a problem.
There's problems for Sebastian Vettel!
He's dropping down the field and is down to sixth by the end of lap two. Whatever the issue he appeared to have before the start doesn't seem to have been fixed.
This will be a disaster for Vettel if they can't get it fixed.
Jack Nicholls
Radio 5 live Formula 1 commentator
What a bold overtaking move from Verstappen. That will rile Vettel.
Wow!
Max Verstappen is on one! He picks off his team-mate Daniel Ricciardo at the first corner and then catches Sebastian Vettel napping. The Red Bull is up into second!
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz has gone off.
Ferrari's of Vettel and Raikkonen make a disastrous start to the race
LIGHTS OUT!
Strong start by Sebastian Vettel but Lewis Hamilton also gets away cleaning and moves across to cut off any advance from the Ferrari and stays in the lead into the first corner.
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
I am expecting Lewis Hamilton to take emphatic control from the start. Vettel has to mount serious challenge and on this opening lap he may have that opportunity.
If Lewis Hamilton makes a good start he can control this race.
Everyone has lined up in their place on the grid.
All that remains is for those lights to go out...
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PhilSlocombe: Hoping Lewis gets away cleanly and Seb does not have a red mist moment and crash into Lewis
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Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari has been surrounded by mechanics. There has been a lot of frantic activity but that activity has now abated.
Whatever the problem was it seems to have been resolved but will Vettel again suffer from reliability problems?
Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer
For the first time in a long time, the fastest strategy looks like a two-stop, with two stints on the super-soft followed by one on the soft. That’s the case if the weather is as warm as predicted.
Mixing things up will be Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen, who are starting on an off-set soft-tyre-first strategy. Both are likely to be used strategically by their teams to help their number one drivers.
Sir Mo Farah watches on as the drivers head off on the formation lap.
Almost time.
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst
Vettel will know that starting on the front row he must grab the opportunity but he is up against a very determined Lewis Hamilton.
Incredible atmosphere at Suzuka. The fans are well up for this one.
Looks like there was a slight issue for Sebastian Vettel with a load of mechanics surrounding his car on the grid.
Whatever the issue was, it appears to have been resolved.
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Definitely one of the more exotic locations this page has been read from!
Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer
Esteban Ocon always looked like he had potential, and he is very much realising it at the moment.
The Frenchman has now out-qualified team-mate Sergio Perez in three of the last four races and at Suzuka this one will have felt particularly sweet.
Penalties for Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen ahead of him mean Ocon will start fifth. “There’s a great opportunity to score some big points,” he said.
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Currently sat in Istanbul airport on my way home from Tbilisi after watching the mighty Wales beat Georgia! Hoping to catch the F1 before flying to London...come on Lewis!
Andrew from Caerphilly
BBC Radio 5 live
Image source, Getty ImagesSir Mo Farah speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "It is my first ever one (race). It happened by chance! I was in Japan and messaged Lewis said 'I'm here I would love to come' and he made it happen. I am a massive fan. Lewis is an incredible athlete and I am excited to be along side him. I admire what they do.
"You have got a lot of detail that goes into it but he is the one who has to deliver on the line. I am excited and just taking it all in.
And on his future in athletics, Farah said: "I am training for the marathon, my first race will be London marathon in 2018. I am just getting back into training and have had nice down time with my family."